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Low pregnancy weight gain safe for obese women
 Obese women can gain little or no weight during pregnancy — and even lose a
few pounds — without harming their babies, new research suggests.
Using information from birth certificates, the study analyzed the pregnancies
of more than 120,000 obese women from Missouri to see how weight gain affected
their blood pressure,
C-sections and the baby’s
birth weight. Obesity increases
a woman’s risk of miscarriage and other serious complications such as
gestational diabetes.
The study found that 23 percent of the obese women gained less than 15
pounds, 31 percent gained 15 to 25 pounds and nearly half gained more than 25
pounds. Those who gained less had better outcomes.
The researchers considered three levels of obesity based on body mass index,
or BMI, and came up with optimal ranges of
weight gain. The Missouri study found that the least-heavy
obese women who lost weight were at somewhat higher risk to have a
low-birth-weight baby. However, they still benefited by having fewer other
complications.
In order to avoid excess weight gain women need to:
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Avoid all junk foods to boost intake of essential nutrients over empty
calories. This includes elimination of sweetened beverages in favor of water
to increase nutrients from food.
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Besides, obese women need to consult nutritionist in order to
lose
weight after they give birth to avoid problems in future pregnancies.
Tips to
control excess carbohydrate intake
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non-starchy vegetables should make up the
highest volume of food you eat in a day - they offer
nutrient-density,
fiber and help sate appetite
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starchy selections should be carefully selected and included
in smaller amounts if you want to include something like a sweet potato or
corn
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whole grains should be 100% whole grain with an
emphasis on 100% whole grain cereals such as steel cut oatmeal over
more processed selections like instant oatmeal
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low "glycemic-load" fruits should be included in diet as
they offer incredibly high amounts of
antioxidants - specifically berries along with melons like canteloupe and
honeydew and other fruits like cherries and plums
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higher "glycemic-load" fruits are still an option - just have a small
banana instead of the largest one!
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include nuts in diet, as they are low in carbohydrate and pack in essential
fatty acids
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add legumes to your diet as they offer fiber, nutrients and
protein
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Eliminate all foods that contain:
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any trans-fats (ingredients that include - shortening, partially
hydrogenated oils, margarine)
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high amounts of sweeteners - sugar, high fructose corn syrup, corn
syrup, corn syrup solids
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foods with damaged fats - especially deep fried foods
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beverages high in sweeteners, especially high fructose corn syrup
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 Remember, the growth and well being of the fetus is dependent upon the health
and nutrition of the mother (not the father!) because she is both the seed as
well as the soil where the baby is nurtured for 9 months. Moreover, healthy
mothers are in a better position to look after the healthy needs of their
children.
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